Positioning system for aerial refueling

Abstract

A positioning system for aerial refueling of an aircraft provided with a first element for connection with a second element arranged on a tanker plane. The first and second elements are adapted to feed fuel from the tanker plane to the aircraft. A receiver on the aircraft is arranged to receive signals from the second element. A control unit on the aircraft controls the aircraft depending on the signals to steer the aircraft to a position for connecting the first and second elements.

1. A positioning system for aerial refueling of an aircraft comprising fuel receiver for connection with a fuel feeder arranged on a tanker plane, wherein the fuel receiver and fuel feeder are adapted to feed fuel from the tanker plane to the aircraft, the positioning system comprising:
 a beacon signal provided on the fuel feeder, wherein the beacon signal produces a fixed signal comprising a pattern comprising different colors, black and white fields, light sources or acoustic signals, 
 a receiver comprising an optical sensor or an acoustic receiver arranged on the aircraft and arranged to a detect the signal, and 
 a control unit on the aircraft, 
 wherein the received signal is transferred from the receiver to the control unit and is processed in the control unit, and wherein the control unit is arranged to control the aircraft depending on the signal to steer the aircraft to a position for connecting the fuel receiver and the fuel feeder. 
 
     
     
       2. The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the received signal is converted in the control unit and compared with a reference signal, and wherein the aircraft is manoeuvred to minimize a difference between the converted signal and the reference signal. 
     
     
       3. The positioning system according to  claim 2 , wherein the fuel receiver and the fuel feeder are connected when the difference between the converted signal and the reference signal is less than a determined value. 
     
     
       4. The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit also controls the thrust of a main engine of the aircraft to manoeuvre the aircraft to the position for connecting the fuel receiver and fuel feeder. 
     
     
       5. The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fuel receiver comprises a probe and the fuel feeder comprises a drogue arranged on a hose which is connected to the tanker plane. 
     
     
       6. The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fuel receiver comprises a receptacle and the fuel feeder comprises a boom nozzle arranged on a flying boom which is connected to the tanker plane. 
     
     
       7. The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is unmanned.